The company that owns a 12-acre cold storage warehouse in the Finley area that’s been burning since April said it’s working hard to suppress the fire as quickly as possible.

Lineage Logistics, based in Novi, Michigan, said it’s working “around the clock with dozens of local, state, federal and private institutions to accomplish this.” It has hired Signal Restoration Services to perform $10 million in demolition work, according to a permit filed with Benton County.

The statement follows concern from the community over the fire, which broke out on April 21, prompting evacuations and sending smoke into the air. It’s been smoldering ever since.

Benton County commissioners on June 4 sent a letter to Paul Scott of Lineage, urging the company to speed up the cleanup process. Community members during a town hall made it clear that “they want to see the fire put out as soon as possible and get help dealing with the negative air quality and health impacts that are increasing daily,” commissioners wrote in the letter. “To achieve that objective, we urge you to expedite the clean-up process by having your staff or contractors working around the clock.”

In its statement, Lineage said its top priority continues to be the health and safety of its employees, partners and the communities where it operates.

“We recognize the profound impact the fire at our Kennewick facility adjacent to Finley has had on the community and everyone who lives here. Many of our Lineage team members are Finley and Kennewick residents themselves, and both our local and national leadership are focused on marshaling resources to accelerate fire recovery efforts,” it said.

The company compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers, covering topics from when the fire is expected to be out to whether the facility will be rebuilt.

Lineage said it’s offered all 82 employees at the Finley facility positions elsewhere, and more than 90% already are back at work.

Go to: onelineage.com/kennewick-response